plz help with influence

from Stardock Forums
The Altarians seem to have much greater influence than they should. Immediately from the start of the game they amassed more influence than me. Over time it only got worse. I have a much greater population than them, with more planets and starbases, and my planets have greater PQ than them. I am building Embassies and other +influence structures. Yet, they continue to eclipse my empire. Half my star systems sit in supposedly Altarian-controlled sectors, yet there are no Altarian starbases or planets nearby. What am I missing?
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Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top
Three possibilities: they have lots of influence resourses, lots of culture magnifying starbase modules, or both. In my current game, I'm having this problem with the Yor, and since we don't like each other much, I may "accidentally" take his influence resources.
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top
Also, the races get picks to start with just as the humans do, so you can see races with +influence picks, +hitpoint picks, things like that. When a race (including humans) takes a +influence pick and then ends up in control of one or more influence resources then you're going to have a problem unless you find some way to up your influence as well.

Also, there are quite a few wonders that increase influence, if you are having problems in this area make sure you get these for yourself, even if you have to lease them.
Siege of Centauri
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
Simple. They have KICKASS tatooes! It carries a lot of weight across the galaxy apparently.
Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top
hehe, funny ;) Well the Torians are kicking my butt at influence now too, and they've got even less population than the Altarians. I haven't seen any of their space stations but I've got a couple with more on the way.

I'm just wondering if there's anything else that affects influence besides population and +influence bonuses. My military is quite small--could that have something to do with it? I've been putting all my efforts into building lots of constructors for building space stations, since I started with a lot of special bonus squares in my area and I didn't want the computer to get to them first.
Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top
Frogboy mentioned somewhere that your influence is influenced a lot by your relations with other races... If everyone loves you, you have a lot of influence.

I always build news networks as standard fairly early on,which keeps my influence high. I've never had a problem with it, so I cannot give you anymore advice than that.
Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top
Hmm, that's a thought. Everyone is neutral to me right now but I'm kinda resistant to the idea of giving away all my stuff just so somebody will like me. Maybe I should get over that, heh.
Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top
Don't give it to them. Sell it for low payments (like 20 bucks/turn). Sell them ships when they're at war (both sides of course, unless one side is the Drengins, they don't need any help).

~SDC~
Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top
Argh! It's getting worse! :sniff!: They now have 3x more influence than I do in this sector and in all surrounding sectors. The sector contains two of my planets and one Altarian planet. Both of my planets are higher PQ and higher population than his, with lots of improvements. The surrounding eight sectors are empty except for three starbases which are all MINE.

Why is he winning??? He is set on 'intelligent' so he should be getting no bonuses from that. I did some spying and discovered that he has a +20% influence bonus, but I have a +5% influence bonus which isn't too bad, so he should be doing well but not THREE TIMES better!

Sheesh this is really frustrating. I think I will have to ruin our relationship and invade the system. >:( I've assembled a small armada in the sector and I'm building a transport as we speak...